Dan

The
largest of four sources of the Jordan River, the Dan Spring emerges at
the base of Mt. Hermon next to Tel Dan. It flows for four miles
before joining the second largest source of the Jordan River, the Banias
Spring. Together the four sources (also the Iyon and Hasbani) of
the Jordan River drain a total area of more than 2700 sq. kilometers.

Middle Bronze Gate

Built
about 1800 B.C., this mudbrick gate was in use approximately 50 years
before it was covered (and thus preserved) by an earthen rampart.

The
style of the gate is typical for this period; it is a "Syrian
gate" with three pairs of piers and four chambers, like those found
at Megiddo, Shechem and Gezer.

Iron Age Gate

On
the northern frontier of the kingdom, Dan was particularly well
fortified. This gatehouse was built in the ninth century, probably
by Ahab, and is part of a series of gateways discovered.

The
foreground of this picture is the area of the discovery of the Dan
Inscription which mentions the "House of David."

Podium for Ruler

This
may have been a place for the ruler next to the gate or a place for an
idol to be set up.

2 Samuel 18:4
"So the king stood beside the gate while all the men marched out in
units of hundreds and of thousands."

2
Kings 23:8 "He broke down the shrines at the gates."

High Place of Jeroboam

Nearly
all archaeologists agree that this excavated podium was the one that
Jeroboam constructed to house the golden calf at Dan.
Archaeologists now think the platform was roofed.

Evidence
of a four-horned altar has been found as well as religious objects such
as three
iron shovels, a small horned altar, and an iron incense holder.

Related Websites

Dan (Walking
in Their Sandals) Gives easy-to-read information on the location,
biblical significance, etc. Features links to photographs and on-line
scripture references.

Tel Dan (Camp S'dei
Chemed International) Gives a concise history of the area from a
distinctly Jewish perspective.

Dan: The Biblical City
(Israel MFA) Highlights the history of the site, beginning with the
Canaanite city, and several of the important archaeological findings,
including the "House of David" inscription. Includes a
translation of the inscription as well as a photograph of the fragments.
A copy of this page at the Jewish Virtual
Library.

Tel Dan (Christian
Travel Study Program) Limited text, but site features several good
pictures with excellent identifying captions.

Tel
Dan (The Department for Jewish Zionist Education)
Includes sections on Ancient Dan, the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, and the
Ecology of the area.

Dan: Great Blessing, Great Failure
(Personal Page) A flash presentation by David Niblack. Brief sections on geography, history,
archaeology, "Dan in the Bible," "the Blessing and Failure,"
and links.

The
Tel Dan Inscription (K.C. Hanson) Technical description
of the Tel Dan Inscription (a.k.a. The Bytdwd Inscription, a.k.a. The House of
David Inscription.)